Partition assembling machine



Jan. l, 1946..

PARTITION ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed May 3, 1941 ig af; M 80 MOaa 7 sheets-sheet 1 QM I ATTORNEY.

A. F. sHn-:Lns 2,392,005

Jan. l, 1946. A. F. sHlELns 2,392,005

PARTITION ASSEMBLING MACHINE l Filed Mayy 3, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 III! 01 @s Q LL y LL' nl it@ ATTQRNEY.

Jan. a, 1946. `A F* SHIELDS 2,392,005

PARTITION ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed May 3, 1941 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Jan. 1, 1946. A. F. sHn-:Lns V2,392,005

PARTITION ASSEMBLING MACHINE v Filed May 5, 1941 'TSheetS-Sheet 4 IN V ENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

, 146. A. F. sHlELns PARTITION ASSEMBLING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 5l Filed May 3, 1941 FIG. 9.

l: l G. O

INVENTR.

' ATTORNEY.

A. F. SHIELDS lan. L i946,

Jan, 1146. A. F. sHn-:LDs

PARTITION ASSEMBLING MACHINE Filed May 3, 1941 7 Shets-Sheet 7 ...Q Q/@ w FIGJES.

/g/INVEZWDR. W @252:4

ATTORNEY.

Patented Jan. l, 1946 l PARTITIQN ASSEBIBLING MACHINE Albert F. Shields, Jamaica, N. Y., assig'nor to S. & S. Corrugated PaperMachinery Co., Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 3, 1941, Serial No. 391,702

14 Claims.

This invention relates to container manufacturing apparatus and more particularly to a machine for readily assembling partitions.

In the construction of containers -of various kinds, it is sometimes necessary toprovide a series of cubicles or partitions separating the container into a series of small containers. 'I'his is commonly necessary in containers which are designed for the shipment of a plurality of small, fragile items, each of which must be supported out of contact with adjacent units oi the same type and each of which must be positively positioned in the container so that the same is cushioned against any rough handling.

Usually such partitions comprise a series of sheets extending at right angles to each other and notched so that they may intersect each. other. In such partitions which are intended to be inserted in containers, there may therefore be two, three or more partitioning sheets extending in one direction and a number of partitioning sheets` extending in a direction at right angles thereto.

In the usual type of partition, notches are provided, said notches extending to one edge oi' each of the sets of sheets running in one direction and the notches extending to the opposite edge of each of the sets of sheets running in the other direction. The notches are arranged so that when the sheets are placed in proper intersecting relation1 the notches meet and a portion of the material of each sheet is caught in the corresponding notch of the intersecting sheet.

In order that the surfaces which define the edges oi the sheets should be plane, the notches preferably are one-half the height of each of the sheets and the sheets are caused to intersect so that notch meets notch. When the sheets are therefore assembled in intersecting relationship, a regular partition having no projections may therefore be formed.

It is necessary, therefore, in the consideration of any machine which is to be utilized in the as- 1 sembling of such partition, to allow for the fact that the intersecting elements which form the completed partitions are or may always be placed at right angles to each other and that the simplest method of assembly is one which disposes the sheets so that they may be brought together while the said sheets are at right angles to each other so that no turning or further movement of the sheets in one bank will be necessary for registry with sheets of the opposite banks.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for assembling partitions wherein the sheets which are to be arranged in 'intersecting partition form, may be mounted so that the set of sheets which, in the partition. are to run in one direction are appropriately mounted in a plurality of stacks and so that the set of sheets which, in the partition, are intended to run in a direction at right angles to the first set are arranged in a plurality oi' stacks which are at right angles to the iirst set of stacks.

A further object of the present invention is the provision in partition assembling apparatus, of means for stacking each set oi sheets which are to form the partition in such manner that the stacks are arranged at right angles to stacks of sheets which are to be intersected by sheets from the first stack.

A further object of this invention is to larrange the-stacks so that the blanks may be fed by gravity and will not require any further feeding means.

Another object is to eliminate any matrix or carrying member for the assembled cell unit.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision in partition assembling apparatus, of means for simultaneously assembling all of the sheets which are to form the partition during a single operative movement.

These and many other objects of the present invention will in part be apparent and in part pointed out in the following specification taken in connection with the drawings; in which:

Figure l is an end view of one embodiment of the apparatus of my invention, and taken from line l-i of Figure 3.

Figure 2 is an end view of the same apparatus on the side opposite the view of Figure l, and taken from line 2--2 of Figure 3.

Figure 3 is a side view of the apparatus taken from line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side view of the apparatus taken from line tof Figure l. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5`of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-B of Figure 4,' looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure '7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line l-'I of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view showing an enlargement oi a portion of the apparatus of Figure 5, in a slightly dierent position.

Figure 9 corresponds to Figure 8 showing, however. a diierent position of the apparatus.

Figure is a cross-sectional view taken on line |0| 0 of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is a top cross-sectional view taken from line of Figure 10.

Figures 12 and 13 are a schematic representation of the operation of the mechanism.

Figure 14 is a view in perspective showing a slightly modified form of a portion of the apparatus of FiguresS and 9.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus taken along line |5|5 of Figure 14.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view taken alongr line |8|6 of Figure 5.

Referring now to the schematic view .of Figures 12 and 13 which will serve more clearly to explain the invention before the speciiic apparatus which accomplishes the result therein shown is described-there are shown in these figures an assembled partition 20 consisting of sheets 3| and 32 which extend in one direction and sheets 43, 44 and 45 which extend in the opposite direction.

The sheets which in each assembled partition are eventually to form sheet 3| o! the partition herein shown are placed in a stack |3I. Likewise the sheets which are to form sheet 32 of the partition 20 are placed in a stack |32. Sheets which are to form the intersecting sheets 43, 44 and 45 of the partition 20 are likewise respectively placed in stacks |43, |44 and |45.

As will be clearly seen in Figure 12, the sheets 43 in stack |43 each have a pair of notches 45 and 41. Likewise each of the sheets 32 of stack |32 have a series of notches 35, 38 and 31. The other sheets in each set of stacks have the same notched arrangement.

Similarly, the bottom of each of the stacks |43, |44 and |45 are spaced apart by the distance desired 'between the corresponding sheets on their side of the partition assembly. Or, to put it another way, the bottoms of stacks |3| and |32 are spaced apart so that the bottom sheet of stack |3| will register with notches 43 and so that the bottom sheet of stack |32 will register with notches 41; and the bottoms of stacks |43, |44 and |45 are spaced apart so that the bottom sheet of stack |43 extends in a plane which will intersect notches 31; the bottom sheet of stack |44 is in a plane which will intersect notches 35, sheets 32 and 3|; and so that the bottomV sheet of vstack |45 is in a plane which will intersect notches 35 in each of the sheets 32 and 3|.

The stacks may, if desired, be so arranged that the bottoms thereof may be spaced from each other by any desired distance in accordance with the distances between the notches above described and in accordance with the number of sheets in each direction which are to enter into the completed partition assembly.

Now in order to utilize this arrangement, I have found it necessary to provide means which will simultaneously move the bottom sheet out of each stack towards the center of the apparatus so that each sheet will be moved to engagement with the notches of the opposite sheet in the manner previously described.

The staggering of the shown in Figure 12 normally permits spacing the sheets so that they will intersect, but also provides'the necessary vclearance for the members which is necessary to move the bottom sheet out from under each stack.

Thus each of the sheets 3| in stack |3| has the same arrangement as wise each of the sheets 44 and 45 in stacks |44 and |45 has the same arrangement as sheet 43 of stack |43.

Sheets 3| and 32 are provided with three notches since they are in the completed partition assembly 20 to intersect three cross-sheets, and each of the sheets 43, 44 and 45 has two notches since in the completed partition assembly they are each to intersect only two sheets.

Obviously any number of stacks may be on each side to produce a series oi.' partitions having any other desired arrangement of sheets. As will also readily be seen from Figure 12, each of the stacks |3| and |32 is placed in the apparatus so that the sheets thereof are at right angles to the sheets in each of the stacks |45.

bottom of the stacks sheets 32, and like- 15 Operation, therefore, that sheets 3| Preferably, therefore, in the apparatus and in order to enable a gravity feed of all blanks, each of the stacks on one side of the completed partition is arranged at 45 from the vertical on one side of an imaginary vertical line drawn through the apparatus and each oi the stacks on the opposite side of the partition to be assembled is placed at an angle of 45 on the other side of said imaginary line.

The bottoms of each of the stacks |3| and |32\ are spaced apart by adistance equal to the space desired in the completed partition assembly between the sheets 3i and 32.

In the schematic embodiment shown, I have provided bar 23| which registers with the bottom sheet 3| oi' stack |3i and plate 232 which registers with the bottom sheet 32 of stack |32. Bar 23| is supported on rails 233 and 234 which are connected at the rear end by a cross bar 235 to which an operating link 236 may be pivotally-connected. The rails 233 and 234 surroundthe stack |32 and are so arranged that the movement of the bar 23| into stack |3| and the movement of the rails necessitated thereby will not in any way interfere with stack |32.

The plate 232 may operate in the same manner as bar |3| but since plate 232 is at the lowest position in the machine where its movement will not interfere with any stacks, it may be a continuous plate and need not be formed in the railcross-bar-operating bar arrangement described with respect to bar 23|.

Plate 232 and bar 23| are oscillated back and forth so that during each movement towards the left with respect to Figure 12, they simultaneously push out the bottom sheet from each of their respective stacks and so that by each movement towards the right with respect, to Figure 12, they are reset in operating position once more'with respect to their stacks.

The operation of plate 232 and bar 23| is such that each of the sheets 3| and 32 simultaneously reaches the point where the partition assembly 20 is to be assembled. Since sheet 32 must move through a greater distance, its speed will ordinarily be greater than that of sheet 3|. However this difference is reduced by the fact that the mechanism is so arranged in the manner hereinafter described, that plate 232 commences its kicking movement first-before plate 23|.

The travel of sheet 32 is necessarily greater than that of sheet 3| since in addition to travelling the distance between the stacks and the pointwhere the partitions are to be assembled. it must also travel through the additional width of stack |3i.

The plate and bars are so arranged in their and 32 :,saaoos reach their ilnal positions in the assembled state simultaneously. \The same operation occurs with respect to stacks |43, I 44 and |45. Bar 243 supported by rails 241 and 243, which inturn are braced by the cross bar 249, operates with respect to stack |43. Bar 244 operates with respect to stack |44, and plate 245 operates with respect to stack |45. The same type of operation occurs With respect to these latter bars as has previously been described with respect to bar 23| and plate 232. Here it is necessary that two bars be provided since there are three stacks. The bottom plate is provided instead of a bar for the same reason as has previously been described with respect to the bottom plate 232.

By this operation, therefore, all of the sheets which are to form the partition are ejected from the stacks in such a manner that each sheet registers with all of its intersecting sheets at the end of one movement.

The specic apparatus by which this is accomplished is shown in the remaining'gures. Referring now to Figures 1 to 6, inclusive, I have here shown an apparatus in which may be mounted a power source 300 which in any suitable manner, as for instance, by the belt 30|, is connected to the pulley 302 which drives the shaft 303. Shaft `303 carries the gear 304 which in turn meshes with gear 305, thus driving shaft 306.

Bevel gear 301 on shaft 306 meshes with bevel gear 308 on the shaft 309 which carries gears 3 I0. Gear 3 I 0 drives gear 3| which in turn drives gear 3 I2. Gear 3 |2 is mounted on shaft 3|3 on which is also mounted the crank 3 I 4 to the end of which link 236 is pivotally connected. The opposite end of link 236 is pivotally connected to the cross bar 235 which, through the rails 233 and 234, is connected to the operating bar 23| in the manner previously described.

Rotation of the shaft 3|3 by the gear train previously described, will result in rotation of the crank 3|4 and in corresponding oscillation of the link 236 and therefore in corresponding oscillation of the cross bar 23| which will result in the ejecting operation previously described. Gear 3|| which is also driven by the gear train in the manner above mentioned, is mounted on shaft 320 to which is secured crank 32|.

Link 322 is pivotally connected at one end to the crank 32| and at the opposite end is pivotally connected to the cross bar 260 which carries rails 26| and 262 on which the plate 232 is mounted. Rotation of shaft 320 will, in the manner already mentioned, with respect to cross bar 23|, result in an oscillation of the plate 232 also for the purposes above mentioned. Also, as previously described, the rails 233 and 234 carry the cross bar 23| which operates upon the bottom sheet of stack I3 l. Similarly, plate 232, as previously described, operates upon the bottom sheet in stack |32.

The end of shaft 306 opposite the bevel gear 301 also carries a bevel gear 330 which meshes with bevel gear 33|, which in turn is mounted on shaft 332. Shaft 332 carries gear 333 which meshes with gear 334 which, in turn, drives gear 335. Shaft 332 also carries crank 340 keyed thereto and rotatable therewith. Link 34| is at one end pivotally connected to crank 340 and at the opposite end is pivotally connected to the cross bar 249 which drives the operating plate 245 in the manner previously described.

Gear 334 is mounted on shaft 350 on which is also mounted the crank 35|. Link 352 is at one end pivotally connected to the crank 350 and at members which support thecross bar 244 previously described. Gear 335 is mounted on and operates the shaft 380 on which is also mounted the crank 38|. Link 362 is pivotally connected at one end to the crank 360 and at the opposite end is pivotally connected to the members which operate the bar 243 previously described.

In Figure 3, the position of eachof the various members is shown when the electing operation is commencing, and the partition has not yet been taken from the stack. A

It will thus be seen that the members which operate on the lowest stacks have the greatest travel and that the members which operate on the uppermost stacks have the least amount of travel.

As is seen in Figure 5, a plurality of tracks 400 are provided within which the rails of each of the operating members may ride. These tracks are adjustable as follows:

These tracks are adjustable with reference to their spacing t'o each other in order to accommodate the apparatus to various sizes of partitions and to various arrangements thereof. Each of the tracks has a plurality of mounting members or ears 40| by means of which the said tracks are secured on the post 402. The lugs, ears or mounting members 40| are adjustable on the posts 402 so that the tracks may be spaced apart by any selected distance, thus spacing the electors appropriately for each type of partition assembly operation.

The connection between the links and their respective cranks and operating members at for instance 404 (Figure 3) and 405, has suiiicient play to permit the movement of the track members on the posts 402 without disconnecting the members from the links or without destroying the operative connection therebetween.

While the pivots 404 and 405 may have a certain amount of compliance to permit such an adjustment,` they preferably do not have any lateral compliance so that the operative connection and adjustment remains the same.

As has already been pointed out, any number of stack supporting elements may be provided. The stacks, as may be seen in the figures, are supported by' a plurality of front and back plates 500, 50|, as well as appropriate side supporting means which may take any suitable form. The plates 500 and 50| are supported, however, in such a manner that they are not in contact with the bottom plate 502 of each' of the stack supporting elements but are spaced therefrom by at least the thickness of one of the sheets.

As is seen, therefore, in Figures 8 and 9, the operating bar 243 may therefore in its movement towards the right with respect to Figures 8 and 9, abut'against the rear edge of the bottom sheet in the stack and push the same out through the front of the stack. When the bar passes beyond the front of the stack in ejecting the sheet, it then returns beneath the stack and the rear end ofthe bar at 600 may be chamfered in order to faycilitate its sliding under the stack.

The shaft SII carries a small pawl 6|! keyed thereto which is engageable with a portion of the operating bar 243. When the operating bar has completed its ejecting movement and is in the position shown in Figure 9, on the return stroke it has, by the cooperation between the operating elements and the pawl 6H rotated the shaft 6|| so that the cam has been rotated to the position shown in Figure 9 where it raises the front end of the stack.

As will be seen from Figure 10, the cam operates in a slot SI in the base plate of the stack. As will also be seen in Figure 5, a plurality of such cam members may be utilized for this purpose. The cam is returned to its original position by the operation of the spring 6|2 when the ejecting bar has been returned.

The apparatus of my invention may be adjusted for different sizes of partitions. Thus the elements 500 and 50| which define the stack may be mounted on plate 630 having slots 63| with which the adjusting nut 632 cooperates to position the bar and hence the members 500 in appropriate relation for the desired size of sheet.

In order to adjust the mechanism also for different widths of sheets or for different heights of partitions, I have provided a means shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4 for adjusting the set of stacks |3| and |32 to different positions within the apparatus. The posts 402', 402 (Figure 4) which support the operating members which operate on stacks 3| and |32 are mounted on slide bars 100 and 10| which are slidable on the tracks 102 and 103 of the frame.

The posts 3|3, 320 and 309 are also mounted on a platform 108 which also is carried between the slide bars 100. A frame member 1|0 carried by the platform 108 extends upwardly and rotatably engages the hollow sleeve 1|2 on which the bevel gear 301 rotates. Sleeve H2 is provided with a keyway which registers with the key 1|3 on shaft 306 so that the bevel gear 301 is rotated by shaft 306 no matter what position the bevel gear and its sleeve 1|2 occupy with respect to the shaft.

Since the bevel gear 301 and bevel gear 308 are hence supported by the same platform 108, they are always enmeshed with each other so that shaft 306 will always drive bevel gear 303. Accordingly, the slide bars 100, 10| and the platform 108 may be moved inwardly towards the center of the apparatus or outwardly away from the center of the apparatus without in any way interfering with the driving connection.

Hence the platform 108 carries a threaded block 1|5 in which is engaged the longitudinal screw 1|6 which rotates in the bearing 'H1 in the frame of the machine. The end of the 1ongitudinal screw 1|6 is provided with` a handle 1|8 by .which the same may be rotated to adjust the mechanism.

In addition to using corner stack supporting and positioning elements as shown, for instance in Figure 10, I may also, if that is desired, provide a plurality of stack positioning elements 800, 800 as seen in Figure 16.

The elements of the partition assembly machine may be modified in various ways. Thus, for instance, the base plate 900 of Figure 14 may be provided with a xplurality of grooves 90|, 90| in which rails 902,902 of the operating bar 23 may operate. The edge 903 of the bar 23|' is intended to serve as the operating or ejecting edge, while the rear edge of the bar is provided with the additional chamfers 904, 904, which because of their very slight slope facilitate the raising of the stack so that no portion of the bottom sheet will be torn during the return.

By providing the additional chamfers 904, 004. having the slight slope and exerting a minimum of upward pressure during any single instant of movement, it is possible to dispense with the cams previously described.

In the foregoing, I have set forth with respect to Figures 1, 2, 11 and 14 to 16, a complete apparatus which may carry out the principles described with respect to Figures 12 and 13. The basic operation which the apparatus must perform is the ejecting of a plurality of sheets from different stacks in such a manner that one group of sheets will be parallel with each other and intersect at right angles another group of parallel sheets and also in such a manner that corresponding notches in each of the sheets will register.

The operation of each of the elements of the apparatus have been set forth in connection with the specific disclosure thereof. Each of these elements may, however, be varied within the basic principles above defined in a manner which should now be clear to those skilled in the art.

Since my invention therefore is capable of many modifications of which I have shown only the preferred forms, I prefer to be bound not by the specific disclosures herein, but only by the appended claims.

I claim:

l. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, comprising means for positioning one set of stacks of blanks and an opposite set of stacks of blanks, means for varying the spacing between the sets of stacks. the blanks in the stacks of each set extending in planes parallel to the blanks of each of the stacks of its set; the blanks in one set of stacks extending in planes normal to the blanks of the opposite set of stacks; and means for simultaneously feeding one blank from each stack, blanks from opposite sets being fed toward each other by a single continuous movement from their respective stacks to assembled position.

2. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks. comprising means for positioning one set of stacks of blanks and an opposite set of stacks of blanks, means for varying the spacing between the stacks in one of said sets, the blanks in the stacks of each set extending in planes parallel to the blanks of each of the stacks of its set; the blanks in one set of stacks extending in planes normal to the blanks of the opposite set of stacks; and means for simultaneously feeding one blank from each stack, blanks from opposite sets being fed toward each other into assembled position by a single continuous horizontal movement from their respective stacks to assembled position.

3. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, comprising means for positioning one set of stacks of blanks and an opposite set of stacks of blanks, the sets of stacks of blanks being spaced from each other by more than the width of an assembled partition, the blanks in the stacks of each set extending in planes parallel to the blanks of each of the stacks of its set; one set of stacks being inclined at an angle of the order of 45 from the vertical on one side of the apparatus, the opposite set of stacks -being inclined at a complementary angle from the vertical on the other side of the apparatus, the blanks in one set of stacks extending in planes normal to the blanks of the opposite set of stacks; and means for simultaneously feeding one blank from each stack, blanks from opposite sets being fed toward each other into assembled position by a single continuous movement from their respective stacks to assembled position.

4. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, comprising means for positioning one set of stacks of blanks and an opposite set of stacks of blanks, the sets of stacks of blanks being spaced from each other by more than the width of an assembled partition, means for varying the spacing between sets of stacks for partitions of different depth, the blanks in the stacks of each set extending in planes parallel tothe blanks of each of the stacks of its set; oneset of stacks being inclined at an angle o the order of 45 from the vertical on one side of the apparatus, the opposite set of stacks being inclined at a complementary angle from the vertical on the other side of the apparatus, the blanks one set of stacks extending in planes normal'to the blanks of the opposite set of stacks; the bases of each set of stacks being in stepped relation and means for simultaneously feeding one blank from the bottom oi each stack, blanks from opposite sets being fed toward each other into assembled position by a single continuous movement from their respective stacks to assembled position.

5. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, comprising means lor positioning one set of stacks of blanks and an opposite set of stacks oi' blanks, the sets of stacks of blanks being spaced from each other by more than the width of an assembled partition, means for varying the spacing between stacks in a set for partition of diierent cell size, the blanks in the stacks of each set extending in planes parallel to the blanks of each of the stacks of its set; one set of stacks being inclined at an angle of the order of 45 from the vertical on one side of the apparatus, the opposite set of stacks being inclined at a complementary angle from the vertical on the other side of the apparatus, the blanks in one set of stacks extending in planes normal to the blanks of the opposite set of stacks; the bases of each set of stacks being in stepped relation, the base of the stack closest to the opposite set being uppermost, the bases of the stacks further removed from the opposite set being progressively stepped downwardly and means for simultaneously feeding blanks' from opposite sets being fed toward each other into assembled position by a single continuous movement from their respective stacks to assembled position.

6. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, comprising means for positioning one set of stacks of blanks and an opposite set of stacks of blanks, the sets 'of stacks of blanks being spaced from each other by more than the width of an assembled partition, the blanks in the stacks of each set extending in planes parallel to the blanks of each of the stacks of its set; one set of stacks being inclined at an angle of the order of 45 from the vertical on one side of' the apparatus, the opposite set of stacks being inclined at a complementary angle from the vertical on the other side of the apparatus, the blanks in one set of stacks extending in planes normal to the blanks of the opposite set of stacks; the bases of each set of stacks being in stepped relation, the base of the stack closest to the opposite set being upperrnost, the bases of the stacks further removed from the opposite set being progressively stepped downwardly and means for simultaneously feeding blanks from opposite sets the blanks being fed toward each other into assembled position by a single continuous movement from their respective stacks to assembled position, the blanks of each stack progressively moving downward by gravity as each bottom blank is fed out.

7. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, vcomprising means for positioning one set of stacks of blanks and an opposite set of stacks of blanks, the sets of stacks of blanks being spaced from each other by more than the width of an assembled partition, the blanks in the stacks of each set extending in planes parallel to the blanks of each of the stacks of its set; one set of stacks being inclined at an angle of the order of 45 from the vertical on one side of the apparatus, the opposite set of stacks being inclined at a complementary angle from the vertical on the other side of the apparatus, the blanks in one set of stacks extending in planes normal to the blanks of the opposite set of stacks; the bases of each set of stacks being in stepped relation, the base of the stack closest to the opposite set being uppermost, the bases of the stacks further removed from the opposite set being progressively stepped downwardly and means for simultaneously feeding blanks from opposite sets, the blanks being fed toward each other into assembled position by a single. continuous movement from their respective stacks to assembled position, the blanks of each stack progressively moving downward by gravity as each bottom blank is fed out, and means for adjusting the spaced stepped relation of the bases of each of the stacks for partitions of dierent cell size.

3. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, comprising means for positioning one set of stacks of blanks and an opposite set of stacks of blanks, the sets of I stacks of blanks being spaced from each other by more than the width of an assembled partition, the blanks in the stacks of each set extending in planes parallel to the blanks of each of the stacks of its set; one set of stacks being inclined at an angle of the order of 45 from the vertical on one side of the apparatus, the opposite set of stacks being inclined at a complementary angle from the vertical on the other side of the apparatus, the blanks in one set of stacks extending in planes normal to the blanks of the opposite set of stacks; the bases of each set of stacks being in stepped relation, the base of the stack closest to the opposite set being uppermost, the bases of the stacks further removed from the opposite set being progressively stepped downwardly and means for simultaneously feeding blanks from opposite sets,- the blanks being fed toward each other into assembled position by a single continuous movement from their respective stacks to assembled position, the blanks of eachstack progressively moving downward by gravity as each bottom blank is fed out and means for moving one set of stacks toward and away from the opposite set for partitions requiring blanks of different depth.

9. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, comprising means for positioning one set of stacks of blanks and an opposite -set of stacks of blanks, the sets of stacks of blanks being spaced from each other by more than the width of an assembled partition, the blankswin the stacks of each set extendlng in planes parallel to the blanks of each of the stacks of its set; one set of stacks being inclined at an angle of the order of 451 from the vertical on one side of the apparatus, the opposite set of stacks being inclined at a complementary angle from the vertical on the other side of the apparatus, the blanks in one set of stacks extending in planes normal to the blanks of the opposite set of stacks; the bases of each set of stacks being in stepped relation, the base of the stack closest to the opposite set being uppermostl the bases of the stacks further removed from the opposite set being progressively stepped downwardly and means for simultaneously feeding blanks from opposite sets the blanks being fed toward each other into assembled position by a single continuous movement from their respective stacks to assembled position, the blanks of each stack progressively moving downward by gravity as each bottom blank is fed out. and means for adjusting the stack supporting means to position blanks of varying lengths for partitions requiring blanks of diierent length.

10. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a. plurality of notched blanks, comprising means for positioning one set of stacks of blanks and an opposite set of stacks of blanks, the sets of stacks o f blanks being spaced from each other byvmore than the width of an assembled partition, the blanks in the stacks of each set extending in planes parallel to the blanks of each of the stacks of its set; one set' of stacks being inclined at an angle of the order of 45 from the vertical on one side of the apparatus, the opposite set of stacks being inclined at a complementary angle from the vertical on the other side of the apparatus, the blanks in one set of stacks extending in planes normal tothe blanks of the opposite set of stacks: the bases of each set of stacks belng in stepped relation, the base of the stack closest to the opposite set being uppermost, the bases .of the stacks further removed from the opposite set being progressively stepped downwardly and means for simultaneously feeding blanks from opposite sets the blanks being fed toward each other into assembled position by a single continuous movement from their respective stacks to assembled position, the blanks of each stack progressively moving downward by gravity as each bottom blank is fed out, and means for adjusting the apparatus for partitions of varying cell sizes.

l1. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a pluralityof notched blanksl comprising means for positioning a plurality of aligned stacks, the bases of said stacks .being stepped upwardly toward the position of assembly, means for feeding a blank by a continuous movement from the bottom of each stack into said position of assembly comprising a kicker individual to each stack and normally positioned in the space between said stack and the adjacent stack, each kicker being movable simultaneously with Vthe other kickers to eject blanks from the bottoms of the stacks, and to cause said blanks simultaneously vto reach the position of assembly.

12. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, comprising means for positioning a plurality of aligned stacks, the bases of said stacks being stepped upwardly toward the position of assembly, means for feeding a blank from the bottom of each stack toward said position of assembly comprising a kicker individual to each stack and normally positioned in the space between said stack and the adjacent stack. each kicker being movable simultaneously with the other kickers to eject blanks from the bottoms of the stacks, said kickers being operable from a common power source and at different speeds to cause said blanks simultaneously to reach the position of assembly.

13. An apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, comprising means for positioning a plurality of aligned stacks, the bases of said stacks being stepped upwardly toward the position of assembly, means for feeding a blank by a continuous movement from the bottom of each stack into said position of assembly comprising a kicker individual to each stack and normally positioned in the space between said stack and the adjacent stack, each kicker being movable simultaneously with the other kickers to eject blanks from the bottoms of the stacks and members for supporting and moving said kickers, said members operating outside of said line of stacks and clearing said stacks.

14. AAn apparatus for assembling partitions from a plurality of notched blanks, comprising means for positioning a plurality of aligned stacks, the bases of said stacks being stepped upwardly toward the position of assembly, means for feeding a blank from the bottom of each stack toward said position of assembly comprising a kicker individual to each stack and normally positioned in the space between said stack and the adjacent stack, each kicker being movable simultaneously with the other kickers to eject blanks from the bottoms of the stacksl said kickers being operable from a common power source and at different speeds tolcause said blanks simultaneously to reach the position of assembly and means for lifting said stacks during a portion of the movement of the kicker.

ALBERT F. SHIELDS. 

